THE OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN PERIOD FOR NEXT year’s elections has not even started but the political players are already positioning themselves for whatever race they’re interested in.

It’s game time as alliances are broken and forged easily without batting an eyelash. There is no commissioner’s office to oversee the trading here and so everyone looking for an edge makes a move.

The Pinoy hoopla known to pop culture scholars as “P.B.A.” is thus complete with Politics, Basketball and Artistas (actors) filling our media spaces, workplace conversation and family get-togethers.

Everyone who is planning to run has an agenda or a platform, either haphazardly fleshed out or really pondered upon. And it is disappointingly understandable that given the problems hounding our nation, sports is not even in the top 10 concerns on the national or local election levels.

Security, the economy, political stability, poverty, climate change and a host of other nagging problems far outweigh concerns over participation in sports or the construction of new infrastructure for training and development.

Sports will just have to wait for its cue once something is first done about the bigger problems.

And yet sports should not be merely a political afterthought. Some work to boost sports can be done simultaneously while addressing our nation’s biggest issues. That’s because sports can provide an inspirational lift to a country in search of heroes. It can provide paths for play and the sheer enjoyment of games.

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There are three things the political leaders can consider for a sports agenda.

First, harness a culture of sports participation. On the national and local levels, opportunities should be provided for sports to be played and enjoyed on highly competitive, as well as recreational levels. Citywide or provincial sports endeavors will inspire Filipinos of all ages to get into sports, regardless of skill or financial capability.

Second, provide avenues for sports leaders, government and the private sector to come together to help sports. The issue should never be about turf but about helping sports at all levels.

When different people with their own agendas are called to work as one, a clash of interests usually ensues. But if government officials are known to be good organizers and negotiators, some common ground can be found for sport to grow and prosper.

Third, initiate the building of fine sports facilities. A well-built sports center can be a multi-purpose building, as we often call structures of this kind hereabouts.

They need not be air-conditioned, which is clearly the biggest cost hindrance to anyone planning a sports center in a city or province. With some deft planning and architecture, reliable sports facilities can be constructed with even cool winds providing the ventilation.

Which of the politicians have a reasonable sports agenda?

Maybe we should ask them. We should ask if sports will have some time in their schedules once they are elected.